Exhausting but fun seems to be the way that shows go for me these days; this one started early with my first turn at judging – I really enjoyed it and it is amazing how different quilts are when you are asked to study them as opposed to just walking by and waiting for one to jump out at you. Overall I loved the sections that I studied and was pleased to see that in general people were paying attention to the finishing detail – borders and binding.
The quilts at the championship were many and varied with the best in show going to the wholecloth quilt made and quilted by Ferret –a huge bedquilt for which she had the fabric hand-dyed and she also won a number of other awards including one for her longarm quilting; she really is a very talented quilt artist.
On the handquilting front there were several entries in the show from Jacquie Harvey with her very distinctive French knots and backstitch technique.
The Breast Cancer Care theme of In The Pink was well supported with a wide mixture of quilts and wallhangings.
Quilts shows are only as good as the quilts on display and while many are entries are and will always be awe-inspiring – it is lovely to see entries from beginners and I am always delighted to see entries from the under 16’s. The Orchard School from Molesey won the 1st prize for which they should be truely delighted.
Also to enjoy there were feature displays from Gail Lawther introducing us to her ‘Glimpses of Britain’; Foldy Rolly Patchwork Pzzazz by Jennie Rayment; Something Borrowed Something Blue from Cabot Quilters; Quilts from the Marches by Leominter Quilters; Quilts by Reiko Domon & Peaceful Heart Quilt Group of Japan; Sutton Hoo Challenge Quilts ; Sun, Sea & Sand/East Meets West by Thanet & District Quilts – and many of these will be going round the country and on display at the various other Grosvenor Shows venues.
My personal favourite was a little triptique by Hilary Beattie in the Garden Party Theme category (let me know Hilary if you want to part with it!)
Of course I also bumped into all our (old) friends – The Stitch Witch, Sue at Daisy Chain Designs, Clare at Hannah’s Room, Maggie Davies and Sylvia Critcher, Hilary at The Silk Route to name but a few and came back with some new goodies – so wait and see!
